This is 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from the beautiful Oakville Ranch property in Napa. The trick in the Loire with Cab Franc is getting it ripe enough. In Napa, the trick is obtaining ripeness but not letting the grape get too ripe and raisined. This wine acheives that balance quite wwell. The wine is deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is deep with black cherries, cassis, cigar box, fresh tobacco and spice. Full bodied. Medium to firm tannins. Great balance. On the palate, this is delicious if quite young and tight. If drinking soon, give it a long decant. Flavors of black cherries and cassis with underlying tobacco and spice. Long finish. Better to let this age for a few more years and drink over the following fifteen to ten years. It will work well with bigger foods. Roasted poultry (especially Duck) would be a great choice.
